The trade organisation for the US craft beer industry has released its latest annual report, indicating a slight decline in volumes last year, although retail value increased.
The review of the full-year production figures, compiled by the Brewers Association, noted a 4% dip in volumes from the country’s craft brewers in 2024. Despite the fall, the retail dollar value of the beer produced came in up 3% on the year prior at US$28.9bn.
The value lift was credited to pricing changes as well as a “steady performance in onsite sales, which outpaced distributed sales in many markets”.
The BA said that last year’s figures “highlight the new realities of a maturing market in a rapidly evolving environment”, adding that the number of operating craft breweries totalled 9,612; 2024 was “the first year since 2005 that the overall number of operating craft breweries declined nationwide”.
Staff economist Matt Gacioch said: “Small brewers are already grappling with rising ingredient costs, shifting consumer preferences, and increased competition in a saturated market. Tariffs on imported brewing equipment, steel kegs, aluminium cans and key ingredients such as hops and malt only exacerbate these financial pressures.
“There is still plenty of room for optimism in our industry. Brewers’ proven ability to connect with their customers’ evolving preferences will lead to more opportunities for craft beer success stories into the future.”
Also included in the report was a list of the 50 largest craft brewers in the country, based on volumes.
The BA’s definition of a craft brewer is one with annual production of 6m barrels or less, and with no more than 25% ownership by “a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer”.
